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Strict red blood cell transfusion guideline reduces the need for transfusions in very‐low‐birthweight infants in the first 4 weeks of life: a multicentre trial
Author(s) -
Miyashiro A. M.,
Dos Santos N.,
Guinsburg R.,
Kopelman B. I.,
De Araújo Peres C.,
De Lima Taga M. F.,
Shinzato A. R.,
De Paula Fiod Costa H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2005.00607.x
Subject(s) - medicine , guideline , neonatology , respiratory distress , pediatrics , gestational age , blood transfusion , prospective cohort study , red blood cell , intensive care medicine , pregnancy , surgery , pathology , biology , genetics
Background and Objectives Very‐low‐birthweight infants are among the most heavily transfused patients. The objective of this study was to verify if the introduction of a strict guideline would reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in the first 4 weeks of life in these neonates. Materials and Methods This was a multicentre prospective study of two cohorts of very‐low‐birthweight infants transfused in accordance with the recommendations of a neonatologist (Phase 1) or according to previously published guidelines (Phase 2). Results In the first 28 days of life, 102 patients (68·5%) in Phase 1 and 117 (59·7%) in Phase 2 were transfused. The number of transfusions was 1·9 ± 2·0 in Phase 1 and 1·4 ± 1·6 in Phase 2 ( P = 0·01). After adjusting for gestational age, blood loss and the presence of respiratory distress syndrome, the strict guideline reduced the number of transfusions in 17·6% (IC 95%−30·5% to −2·6%). Conclusions The strict guideline was effective in reducing erythrocyte transfusions in very‐low‐birthweight infants.